Can anyone help ID this? It is 28ga
Is it Pre 1980 Manufacture or 1989 - Current?
Grade?
Thank you,
Dale

It is an R13 that was built pre WW1. It was originally proofed at 65mm, but, as Gene pointed out, (Thanks, Argo) there was perhaps a decade just prior to the first world war when they were marked 6.5 for this identicle chamber length. It has scalloped breech balls, a feature not seen much after the 1920s. It is somewhat odd in that it has that feature, is a later, 1909 patent Darne R model, is a 28 gauge, and does not appear to have monobloc barrels.

Someone, perhaps in Europe, perhaps here, marked the chamber length as a conventional 70mm. I do not see the French marking for reproof, but, the gun had pretty serious proof applied the first time, so, I sure wouldn't let that fact alone be a deal breaker for me. They need to be measured to see just what you have.

It would be a wonderful grouse and woodcock gun, assuming it fits the user. The wrist cannot be bent, so, don't try.

Good luck.

Best,
Ted

Wanna..Ted is the man on Darnes. Here is the thread on dating early 20th century St. Etienne guns:]
http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=484326

You'll see that from 1889 to 1912 St. Etienne measured their chambers in cm (6.5 rather than the usual mm 65). That's a definitive marker.

Here is a Darne SN chart...Ted will caution that there are errors here...


Your SN looks to be "L106." Now this is interesting. Because in the above line (p.4) you'll see two Darnes - C692 with 6.5 chambers and C643 chambered for 70mm - So at the time I speculated that the changeover in St. Etienne from cm to mm chambering for Darnes occurred in the C600 number series. - i.e. mid-1912. From the chart this would seem to make sense. The Letter/number SN series started in 1910 meaning that from 1910 to mid 1912 about 2600 Darne guns would have been numbered - pretty much within the capabilities of Darne to produce at this time. Yours, however, still uses cm but is in the "L" series - clearly a post WWI number....a mystery, conundrum and incongruence to which Ted will be sagely nodding.

Darne by this time were making their own Barrels...Didier-Drevet, a barrel maker of choice for quality St. Etienne guns for years, refused to raise production above 300 barrels a year to protect the quality of their product, leading Darne to consider alternatives around 1900.

So in the Blue Book for pre 1980 mfg there is R11 AND jumps to R15. The book does not show a R13. ??

Trust Ted. C642 is a type 10 20 gage. And I'll add, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." You are not going to second guess the board.

From about 1973 until 1979, James Wayne in Victoria, TX. was the Darne importer, and R10s, R15s, and V19s were stocked. Everything else was custom ordered. On occasion, something special made it into inventory for whatever reason.
I wrote those chapters in the blue book, and they have needed to be updated for almost 20 years. Take them with a grain of salt.

Best,
Ted

Thanks Ted. I sent you a pm for another question.

OK If the the Blue Book is outdated could anyone offer an estimated value on this gun.
Thank you,
Dale

The blue book is out of date on Darne, and other sliding breech guns. I really can’t say if it is or isn’t on any other types of firearms. Steve Fjierstad just passed away, I wonder if it will even exist in the future.

I never got a pm.


Best,
Ted

Thanks Ted. So can you give an aprox idea what this gun is worth?
Thank you

Dale,
That is a tough one. I would need to know some more about the gun, stock dimensions, barrel length and chokes, weight, etc. This is just a guess, but, that looks to be a restock. If it is, it is a hell of a job. The pad is something I would need to see more of.
It is a desirable gun, in a sought after configuration, built in an era with a reputation for top quality with the best design. I don’t have a clue as to why it has non monobloc barrels, but, it appears to have been built to the ideas of someone who had somewhat old fashioned taste in guns in that era. To the right guy, that is a huge plus. I like that look, but, not everyone does. The gauge, tubes and stying of the detonation practically scream custom ordered by an old fart. I’ve also noticed that guns like that aren’t making as much as they used to, I’d say that is true of all guns, not just Darnes.
If it were mine, I’d be really POed if I couldn’t get 5K for it. POed enough to just keep it.

Good luck.

Best,
Ted
.

The second set of pictures is more clear, and it appears the gun actually does have monobloc barrels. Sorry I missed it the first time.
Nice gun.

Best,
Ted

"5k"...

shewwwwww.....

Mr. Teddy

Feller would have to be a Darne fOOl to pay that for a Darne bumpa jack action shootgun.

About like trusting an aristo'chitic Alabama skally'wag.

Our expert speller, speaks.

I know I’m impressed.

Best,
Ted

I’m not sure that comma is necessary.
Maybe Fox’ll chime in.

[quote=[censored]]

About like trusting an aristo'chitic Alabama skally'wag.[/quote

I’d keep an eye on him on the golf course for sure.


__________________________
Enjoy the day off, Teodoro.
Monday will be here before you know it.

You should have a job like mine. 7 hour day shift (actually, 6 1/2, since they pay me to take a 1/2 hour lunch) top scale in my union, and my boss bought the beers on Friday, and showed me where his 80 acres is in Crow Wing county. Told me to go up in October and rid him of the grouse that are such a nuisance.

On second thought, maybe you shouldn’t. Smoking isn’t allowed.

It is all good. Really.

Best,
Ted

________________________________
Did the lady lament to you that she bought the
whole pig, when she just needed a little sausage, now and
then?
(Commas necessary).

No thanks. Threw that yoke off about a year ago.



Well that’s 35 hours down the drain every week.



A whole 1/2 hour! WOW!



I wouldn’t get out of bed for less than $50.




Again, WOW!



Meh. She (I so woke!) doesn’t happen to belong to a country club, does she?



Bloody uncivilized.



It is all good? Really?


__________________________
Once. I hit her back with something about a cow and milk.
Shut her up real quick.

I’ll retire when I’m old. And, busted up.

Like you.


Best,
Ted

__________________________
Hell, even if I strike oil (or, gold) in the back yard, the
state owns the mineral rights.

Why would these have ??. It appears to me Ted is making a statement, not asking a question.

Miller,
I was, indeed. Lonnie is a bit incredulous that someone in their 50s would actually want a job.

Keeps me productive, and occupied. Sometimes, I wonder what keeps his mind occupied. Well, besides hockey and Chesterfields.


Best,
Ted

_____________________

https://youtu.be/J6sIK2KnhH8

Wrong, Teodoro. Just a shyte job such as yours. And then to brag about it. LO,L
I’m glad you enjoy it.

Best,
(It’s) Lonny (b,tw)

___________________________
If it makes you happy (I guess)
https://youtu.be/1Yg-wcPwRa4

Wow. Lonnie, you haven’t a clue what my job is. Or, who my boss is-you really missed the bus on that one. Hell of a guy. Him, I mean.

You happy with golf (yuc, I shoot in order to avoid people who golf, nothing personal) Chesterfields, an endless stream of televised sports, and a day that begins and ends with a bump?

Enjoy. Wouldn’t be my cup of tea. I’d have to start by buying a television. Moving to Detroit to live it? Like I said, enjoy.

Weren’t you going to post a photo of a gun?

Hey, got a trip up north to plan. Don’t be a stranger.

Best,
Ted


_______________________
https://youtu.be/NoGofvVhKTo

I don’t know wtf you’ve been smoking but it sure wasn’t a Chesterfield.
What a [censored]!


__________________________
LOL!
(Fack your boss!)

Fack me dead.

Grazie, Teodoro. om,G; we’re dying here.


_________________________
Mi hai reso felice!

https://youtu.be/mW1dbiD_zDk


__________________________
Polska

Go to work... boy.

https://youtu.be/H4hGSR5njZE


__________________________
‘merica

Ha,ha,ha,ha! I might, I might not!


Best,
Ted

________________________
Retired in, wait for it, Detroit.
I think I’m ‘gonna hurl.